people who have lived in or been to japan.

[axion]

after 2-3 weeks of intense consideration, i've decided that im going to be moving to japan in september. through one of my chef instructors at my school, i have a job lined up at a country club in tokyo and if i prove myself after 6 months i can potentially have a spot cooking at the four seasons marunouchi in downtown tokyo. im pretty excited but really scared at the same time. although ive always wanted to go to japan, ive havent actually been there yet. anyways, i really need to get in touch with people who have either lived in japan or traveled there before, and get some information.
my msn is [email protected]. gimme a shout and tell me anything you can about japan.

[Dean]

talk to JenE03

the best i can offer is my report i did on japan for grade 5 social studies

[P.A.R.T.Y]

Hey Josh..I have been to Japan and all I can say is that your going to have a great time. The food is amazing and you'll probably be suprised at the amount of people your going to have to cook for. I guess, Japan is like any other country, its not like a big anime scene or anything. Mostly people will treat you like anyone else. If your in Tokyo: Visit Disneyland, Sega Joyopolous, Sea Paradise, Soba houses, Sushi Bars, Mos Burger, and Ropongi and harajuku. Have fun.

[wum]

^ are those soiled panty dispensing machines for real?

[mojo]

the international departures area at Narita has those funny squat toilets in the mens rooms.

thats all i have to tell. sawwwdeeeee.

[acidic_liquid]

*jealous* I wish I could go travel to Japan. Or anywhere. Damn having no money :(

I think the Japanese culture is amazing. I hope you get that spot at the Four Seasons. Good luck :)

[Ree Fresh]

HAVE A MAP OF WHERE YOUR GOING!!! Finding yoru way around and how the address system works is very close to imposible... even for the locals in Tokyo. Knowing some jap before might be helpful too. Otherwise great ppl and I promis one hell of a great time!!!

[miss.myra]

Josh, I don't have much info to offer, but I wanted to offer my congrats to you. :)

seriously, that's awesome.

[Kelster]

it'll take time to get used too, but after that you'll probably fall in love with it.

japan is different and getting used to it may be a bitch for you, but once you get into the groove it'll all make sense and you wouldn't want it any other way.
so man it up for the first year, give it a chance and don't pussy out and let the frustration get to you, don't come running home.

and hey, in no time you'll have a cute japanese girlfriend, they really dig white guys. if you get desperate, bleach your hair blonde and they won't leave you alone.

they're crazy, and everything goes. i love it there. japanese candy is soooo yummy. pickled foods is soooo yummy! and their style, their style is sooooo rad!

[MissBehavior]

Originally Posted by wum

^ are those soiled panty dispensing machines for real?

http://www.snopes.com/risque/kinky/panties.htm

[wum]

Originally Posted by MissBehavior

http://www.snopes.com/risque/kinky/panties.htm

[MissBehavior]

Originally Posted by wum

I am the Snopes queen around here. :)

[axion]

Originally Posted by Kelster

it'll take time to get used too, but after that you'll probably fall in love with it.

japan is different and getting used to it may be a bitch for you, but once you get into the groove it'll all make sense and you wouldn't want it any other way.
so man it up for the first year, give it a chance and don't pussy out and let the frustration get to you, don't come running home.

this is the thing i have heard the most so far. everyone keeps telling me how much it's going to suck at first, but that i will basically fall in love with it and not want to come back.

from everything people have told me about me japan, it's got me pretty intimidated... and i still have 6 months before i go there.

[axion]

Originally Posted by miss.myra

Josh, I don't have much info to offer, but I wanted to offer my congrats to you. :)

seriously, that's awesome.

come visit me, myra!

[Kelster]

don't let it intimidate you.

the food is different, but as a chef you'll probably appreciate it rather then find it 'icky and gross'. street vendors kick ass!

getting around will be frustrating, but it's always like that when you're somewhere new. give it a week and you'll have it figured out. their system has a schedule, and it's reliable. the best thing you can do is just relax and not stress too much about transportation. (when i went to costa rica that was probably my main concern, but i was really stressing over nothing - although the schedule would randomly change every couple of weeks, you'd be aware of the changes unless you really sucked)

do you know japanese? that'll probably be the hardest part, language barrier. but you've got 6 months to brush up, right? japanese people have this big american infatuation, and you'll run into people that know english and would be willing to help you out.

the people are nice with high morals. a lot of them may look kinda crazy, but underneath it all they're just regular people - (remember that). i find vancouver people snobby, especially over nothing, and they won't give you the time of day unless you're part of their circle.
i love how 'everything goes' in japan, they're always trying to push that limit on what's appropriate and not and they succeed. i can see how some westerners may be intimidated by it, but i like the obscurity. things here are boring, people get shocked and fuss bout the lamest things. maybe i just find japan interesting cause it's new to me, and japanese people are saying the same bout japan as my take on canada.

either way, don't let it scare you. fuck i'm so jealous! jsut go with the flow.

[wum]

Originally Posted by MissBehavior

http://www.snopes.com/risque/kinky/panties.htm

"Western society looks for firm, youthful bodies housing the attitudes of grown women — we like them young, but we don't like them to act young."

[...]

"In Japan, this ideal is reversed — sexy in the Land of the Rising Sun adds up to childlike behavior and modes of dress that express this ideal."

[...]

"Likewise, childish outbursts, pouting, and tantrums are viewed as charmingly erotic because such actions work to further the violated schoolgirl image."



So that's what i see with asian couples

[axion]

Originally Posted by Kelster

do you know japanese? that'll probably be the hardest part, language barrier. but you've got 6 months to brush up, right? japanese people have this big american infatuation, and you'll run into people that know english and would be willing to help you out.
.

a little bit. i took japanese for one year at mcroberts, so i know the basics. definately not enough to get around and get things done though.

is it nessecary to being really fluent in japanese if i was living in tokyo?

[tvmann]

I know a Japanese-Canadian girl who has worked in Japan for 7 years and she says she doesn't hardly ever need to use Japanese, in fact she says she speaks barely enough Japanese to get by in case of situations where nobody speaks English. Says most people over there speak some English or are wanting to learn it or improve it by talking in Engrish to Canadians/Amelicans etc.

Advises to work in a smaller city than Tokyo as it is just too big.

Originally Posted by axion

is it nessecary to being really fluent in japanese if i was living in tokyo?

[axion]

Originally Posted by tvmann

I know a Japanese-Canadian girl who has worked in Japan for 7 years and she says she doesn't hardly ever need to use Japanese, in fact she says she speaks barely enough Japanese to get by in case of situations where nobody speaks English. Says most people over there speak some English or are wanting to learn it or improve it by talking in Engrish to Canadians/Amelicans etc.

Advises to work in a smaller city than Tokyo as it is just too big.

half the reason i want to go there is to see tokyo. i cant do the small town thing, plus the job i have been offered is in tokyo.

[KenJi]

Originally Posted by axion

a little bit. i took japanese for one year at mcroberts, so i know the basics. definately not enough to get around and get things done though.

is it nessecary to being really fluent in japanese if i was living in tokyo?

depending on how long your gonna be there you'll pick it up very quickly cause its all your gonna see, hear and read for the most part.

If a black guy can be a host on a japanese bamgumi *t.v show* you should be able to pick it up in no time.

I've been their 4 times going their again this summer for sisters wedding.

All I gotta say is Japan is a very busy and very fast moving society everything goes much quicker than here but trust me one thing good is the transportation. As Kelly said earlier once you the hang of where your going and stuff shouldn't be a problem.

I'm too lazy to add you to msn right now i need sleep you should add me.

Its in my profile. Oh yea I'm shadi's friend if you need know.

[~*faeryfly*~]

ah thats so awesome! I've always wanted to go but have never been...
Tyson(teknokid) has been & he showed me tons of amazing pictures, looks like sooo much fun...where are you Tai?!! hahaha
:D

[DJ Ponz]

As a chef, you'll appreciate the fine, delicate fair of Yoshi Noya. You'll be able to find one on every corner.

Tokyo is great, but can and will suck the lifeblood out of you. Imagine Metrotown times 10000. Try to suplement your exposure to neon and intense consumerism with a book like "The Prophet" or something.

the international departures area at Narita has those funny squat toilets in the mens rooms.

Careful in the trainstation at Narita too. I was close to eruption and I was left only a hole in the ground. I expected more.

[axion]

Originally Posted by DJ Ponz

As a chef, you'll appreciate the fine, delicate fair of Yoshi Noya. You'll be able to find one on every corner.

Tokyo is great, but can and will suck the lifeblood out of you. Imagine Metrotown times 10000. Try to suplement your exposure to neon and intense consumerism with a book like "The Prophet" or something.



Careful in the trainstation at Narita too. I was close to eruption and I was left only a hole in the ground. I expected more.

i live for the excitement and rush-rush of the big city, im dying here in vancouver... i need to spend some time in a huge city like tokyo.

what is Yoshi Noya, by the way?

[DJ Ponz]

Originally Posted by axion

what is Yoshi Noya, by the way?

Yoshi-Noya is really really cheap Japanese fast food. Yummy